Prestigious award for Southport GP

A Southport based Macmillan GP has won a prestigious title at the 2012 Macmillan Excellence Awards

The awards launched in 2011 and were developed to celebrate the outstanding work carried out by Macmillan professionals. There are over 5,000 Macmillan health and social care professionals across the UK, many of whom are specialists in their area of cancer care and leaders in their field.

Dr Graeme Allan, of St Marks Medical Centre, was nominated in the Service Improvement Excellence Award category – for Macmillan professionals who have achieved definable improvements to the services offered to people affected by cancer.

As a GP and Macmillan GP, Dr Graeme Allan has led on the implementation of the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre in Southport. The centre is unique in having a community base within an independent living centre.

Dr Allan said: “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of the cancer team of Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). It means a great deal to us as an emergent CCG to achieve this early success. The Southport Macmillan Information Centre has provided a much needed resource for patients and carers and it is testament to Macmillan that they were prepared to work in partnership with a brand new organisation and provide the assistance we needed to achieve our goal. I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has been involved, and through the centre, we continue to explore new areas of support to cancer patients and carers such as new in house courses and a walking group.”

The awards event was held at The Park Inn, Middlesex on Thursday 8 November.

Sonia Holdsworth, local Macmillan Development Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “This is only the second year we have run the Macmillan Excellence Awards, which offer a great opportunity to celebrate the exceptional contribution to cancer services made by Macmillan professionals. Each category has been carefully selected as being important in improving the lives of people living with cancer, and it’s fantastic to see the performance of a local professional being recognised on a wider scale.

“Dr Allan is part of a team of local Macmillan experts supporting people affected by cancer every step of the way. The charity is only able to fund roles such as this with the support of everyone who gives their time or helps to raise funds. We can all make a difference by working together.

If you have questions about cancer, or would like to know how you can support Macmillan, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call 0808 808 00 00.